Merry Christmas 2012

Merry Christmas from the Smith Family

"Where's Erlo going to be next?"

Every morning we get up and go find Erlo, as soon as we find him the first thing they say is "Where's Erlo going to be next?"

On the Sunday of their Christmas program at church we found him hanging out with our Christmas cards with some sweets to help them sing loud.

They had a little more trouble finding him on this day.  

What time is it Erlo?

Dec. 12th hanging out in the kitchen

He flew into Ellie's new room

He turned the rest of the milk green & loved hanging out in the cold refrigerator.  

On Saturday he left a trail of wrapping paper and some gifts under the tree.  

 Every year Evan gets a Christmas nutcracker, Ellie gets a snowman decoration & Charlotte get a Santa.  

 He didn't want them to get out of their room to get their presents.  

Sitting in the kitchen window

He was hiding in the basement & brought them a bowling set.

They thought this was hilarious.  He was hugging Barbie like mom & dad in their wedding picture.

Today he was relaxing in Evan's new room.  

So where will he be next?????

Christmas Musical 2012

Sunday was our church's Christmas musical.  The kids were old enough to be in it this year.  They sang traditional Christmas hymns and Jesse also ask them questions about Christmas.  We worried that they would not sit up there or if they would be the kid picking their nose.  They did great.  Charlotte lost concentration before it was over and wanted Sydney to pick her up.  They learned all the songs and sing them all the time.  Joy to the World is probably their favorite.

 Each little kid had a big kid help them during the show.  Evan loved having Tyler as his buddy.  Brooke was Ellie's and Sydney was Charlotte's helper.  

 We did have a moment of lifting a dress.  Good thing I put her bloomers on her.  

 This was the last song.  I think they were tired.  

 Granddaddy, Great Aunt Gail and Great-Granny came to watch them.  

 Of course the girls had to get their picture made with their Ashley!

We were so proud of them and love hearing them sing these songs.  

What's happening Erlo?

Before we left on Thursday we found him in the playroom sitting on a pink duck.  

 When we got back Sunday he was riding on the reindeer on the mantel.  

 He also brought us Santa climbing a ladder.  

 Monday we found him zip lining from the banister to the fan

 He also brought our chocolate advent calendars.  We were a few days behind since we were out of town so they got 3 pieces of candy that day.  

 Tuesday he was hanging out in a tea cup in the china cabinet.  He also set out their Christmas trees for us to decorate.  

Wednesday morning he snuck into their bedroom.  All I heard on the monitor that morning was "Mommy, Erlo flew in our room."

 The next day he was in the powder room down stairs with a message for them on the mirror.  

 Friday he was in the pantry eating a lollipop.

 He left each of them one in the mailbox.  

Sat. morning we heard a bunch of ruckus coming from the playroom.  We found Erlo having a party with all the toys.  

 The kids absolutely love Erlo and can't wait to see where he will be next.  

Family Time

It was the annual Smith Family Gathering this past weekend.  We went to Gatlinburg a night early to have some family time of our own.  We got there around lunch time and went straight to the pool until our room was ready.  After that we headed downtown to walk around and of course get our bucket of Karmelkorn. We ate dinner and then drove to Pigeon Forge to see some Christmas lights.  

 We had a good night's sleep even though I was sandwiched in between the girls.  

 The bear in the hotel lobby was all dressed up for Christmas.  

 We went to some Christmas shops and had to get some pictures made too.  

 Santa was there too.  The kids told them what they wanted.  

Ellie wants a Ursula doll from Little Mermaid.

Charlotte wants an Ariel mirror.

Evan wants a Big Mack (not the sandwich a truck).

 There was a little train they rode.  

 I didn't realize Matthew was a girl elf until I looked at the pictures.  Ha!

 We ate lunch at The Partridge & Pear restaurant and it was yummy!

 One reason we went a day early was so we could go to DollyWood

 We had so much fun and rode so many rides.  It was a perfect day.  

 It did get really cold once it got dark.  We stayed for the night time parade and drank lots of hot chocolate.  

We drove to Maggie Valley after we left to meet up with the rest of the Smith Family.  Poor Charlotte slept most of the way there.  We put them straight to bed and they were out in 2 minutes. 

Saturday morning it was play time.  They got to play with cousins they have never met or do not see very often.  Of course we had to go swim again with cousin Kendall.   

They had an ornament craft time.  

 Playtime with cousin Jackson

 Funny picture time with decorations

Then it was time for dinner.  They had fun with baby Leo and even started a Conga line with him.  

Game time

They had a room all by themselves in our cabin.  

 They wanted to take a bath in the big Jacuzzi before we left. 

 We had to say our good-byes

 They finally got a picture with Terry, Terri and Marley.  

 They missed Zona this trip and was really happy to see him.